As parents we know when our children do things wanting to join us in our work because they love and respect us.  We also know when they do not want to help, roll their eyes, then go to their room to text their friends, saying, “I’ve got nothing to do, want to come over?” But I think the worst heartache is for our children, no matter what their age, is to look us in the eye, promise to help, with an outline of good intentions, offering gifts of their sacrificed time; but end up doing nothing at all.

Jesus told a story about this—to show us what God requires of us—when we make promises to help each other.  His parable lesson goes like this;

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”            –Jesus, Matthew 21:28-32

Another scripture comes to mind, meant to teach the rebellious King Saul that doing life his way without permission while asking for forgiveness later by heaping more animals of sacrifice on the fire is not pleasing to God.  Our Father in heaven looks over his children in search of committed hearts ready and willing to trust and obey exactly what He says for our good and His glory!  THIS is what pleases the Lord! Be honest, sincere, fully intending to do what God says with rock solid faith with surrendered obedience.

“Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” –The prophet Samuel to King Saul upon Saul’s disobedience in battle, 1 Samuel 15:22

This next psalm praises God with what pleases God.  Look closely at all the ways we do not get the nod or smile of God!

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

^1-3 The God of gods—it’s God!—speaks out, shouts, “Earth!”
    welcomes the sun in the east,
    farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
From the dazzle of Zion,
    God blazes into view.
Our God makes his entrance,
    he’s not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

^4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
    he’s taking his people to court:
“Round up my saints who swore
    on the Bible their loyalty to me.”

⁶ The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
    that here God is judge.

^7-15 “Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;
    Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
    speaking to you.
I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,
    the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
    or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
    the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
    the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?
    All creation and its bounty are mine.
Do you think I feast on venison?
    or drink drafts of goats’ blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
    serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you’re in trouble—
    I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.”

^16-21 Next, God calls up the wicked:

“What are you up to, quoting my laws,
    talking like we are good friends?
You never answer the door when I call;
    you treat my words like garbage.
If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;
    adulterers are your friends of choice.
Your mouth drools filth;
    lying is a serious art form with you.
You stab your own brother in the back,
    rip off your little sister.
I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;
    you thought I went along with your game.
I’m calling you on the carpet, now,
    laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

^22-23 “Time’s up for playing fast and
    loose with me.
I’m ready to pass sentence,
    and there’s no help in sight!
It’s the praising life that honors me.
    As soon as you set your foot on the Way,
I’ll show you my salvation.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Don’t think for a minute God does not know what we are thinking!  Do we really think God will not see the condition of our hearts or the dullness of our minds?  Does He not hear our promises to God on Sunday morning then forget how we avoid our own promises made throughout the rest of the week? 

Wake up! God knows!  He has always known.  God is present when we speak our words with good intentions then ignore our promises coupled with excuses piling on like an overstuffed laundry room full of soiled clothes!

I was told as young mom and a public school teacher of first graders this truth to live—“Don’t promise what you know you cannot keep.”  Children might not remember where they put their pencil or backpack; but they will always remember every word you said you would do.  They will remember the time, place, and who was with them when you said it!  They have witnesses!  They not only remember but they will test your promises to see if the words come true! 

Jesus also taught a curious phrase, “let your yes be yes and your no be no”.  What does that mean and why were these words important to our walking humbly with God? What Jesus meant had to do with promise keeping!  The NIV clarifies the meaning of Jesus’ words somewhat: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Yikes!

David and Asaph continue to make the distinction between those who follow God and those who don’t throughout their songs. However, Psalm 51, tomorrow’s reading, we will meditate on a well-known passage in which David acknowledges his sin with Bathsheba, repents before God, and asks for restoration. David broke his promise to God by sinning against God and his family! When we do not keep our promises to God and to others; hope is not lost with God whose anger is for a minute but His faithfulness “lasts a lifetime” for God always keeps His promises to us to love and forgive us.  He will forgive a contrite, humbled heart in an instant. God does not lie; it is not in His character.

God keeps his promises to forgive us when we sincerely repent to Him with a desire to walk with Him again.  So, no matter what we’ve done, no matter how far we’ve fallen, God is always ready to forgive and welcome us once again into His presence.  This is the promise from God that cannot be revoked or broken.  Jesus demonstrated this love on a cruel cross as the Once and for ALL sacrifice for the sins of the world—yours and mine.  Jesus was the Promise of God!

Right in the middle of our Psalm for today we learn what God wants from us.  What God, our Father wanted from His Children was thanksgiving from their hearts, obedience to His Word, prayer, and a desire to honor Him in everything. God hasn’t changed. Today, as long ago, the Lord doesn’t want ritualism or formalism. He wants our worship to come from our hearts! 

“It’s Praising that honors Me”, says the Lord God!

Asap finishes his song by summarizing the kind of worshiper God is seeking. The true worshiper has a proper fear (awe) of the Lord and seeks only to honor Him in worship. True worshippers obey God’s will while God allows them to experience the salvation of the Lord. When you combine these characteristics with gratitude to God, obedience, prayer, and a desire to glorify God—you have a description of worshipers who bring joy to the heart of God.

Lord,

By the power of your Holy Spirit living and active, alive and working in us, may all we think, say and do be pleasing to you today.  Guide our thoughts. Remove all that does not of you. I love you, Lord with all that is within me.  I praise Your Holy Name!

In Jesus Name, Amen